stop!
What are you doing?
What kind of dance step is that?
I told you
Prince Lanling in Battle
portrays him going to war
with a shining spear, and riding an armoured horse.
Tell me, what were you doing?
start from the beginning!
We've been practising for hours without a break,
I can't dance anymore.
You have long hair, but such short vision.
You have a chance before you
but you don't cherish it.
Inside the harem,
only the Noble, Pure, Virtuous and Able Consorts
can win His Majesty's favour.
It's almost impossible for anyone else to be bestowed with a visit.
Let alone the lot of you.
You're all new
I don't know when
you'll have an audience with His Majesty.
I spoke too soon.
From now on, Taiji Palace only has
the Noble, Pure and Virtuous Consorts,
there's no more Able Consort.
Consort Liu hung herself last night.
What? Why?
But here's your chance.
Prince Lanling in Battle was the late Empress Wende's favourite,
Each year, the Imperial Wife who leads the dance
will get a chance to wait on His Majesty.
This year is no exception.
I always play fair,
we'll pick the best dancer at the contest tomorrow to lead the dance.
You still have time,
to practise or to rest,
it's your decision.
I was wrong about you.
I hereby apologise.
The Able Consort was the one who suffered a grievance.
Another haunting ghost in Taiji Palace.
Enough!
stop crying!
What's another dead body?
Your Majesty!
I won't interrupt
the final moments you have with Consort Liu.
I'll excuse myself.
stay!
Talk to me.
Everything is so uncertain inside the harem.
Please contain your grief and mind your health.
Uncertain?
I'd say it's certain.
All these years, I owe you all so much.
As long as you are well, you owe us nothing.
Chun Ying!
Yes, Milady? What may I do for you?
Why are those old hags from Yeting Palace crying?
I've already told them not to disturb you.
How about...
Tell Chen Gong-Gong to find a way
to cut off their tongues.
Yes, Milady!
Also...go tell Xiao Qiang
to lay low and don't try to see me.
I'll make the arrangements with His Majesty.
Yes, Milady!
I'll be sure to tell Cairen Xiao.
To learn this dance in such a short time
hasn't been easy for you.
I'd like to ask you what you think of this dance.
This is a war dance,
naturally the emphasis is on heroism,
and the spirit of charging ahead.
According to history
Prince Lanling was a bloodthirsty person.
He lost his mind because of it,
until his wife sacrificed her life.
she spat blood on his mask before she died
and brought him back to his senses.
That's why I think Prince Lanling in Battle
should convey broadmindedness
but first and foremost, it must show regret.
Prince Lanling was an invincible general,
his must have regretted
how he had let his arrogance cost him his wife.
Don't try to be different.
How do you know he had regrets? You're not him.
You're not me either. How do you know I don't know?
You! That's enough!
Don't be late for tomorrow's contest.
Yes!
You!
Have some tea.
I remember your mother is ill.
This ginseng from Liaodong is good for her.
Please accept it.
No thank you. Just say your piece.
You'll pick the dancer to play the part of Prince Lanling tomorrow.
Do you already have the right candidate in mind?
Of course!
But we must wait till after tomorrow's contest.
If you came to chat, pick another day.
You're not practicing, sis Xu?
What's the use? I'm not a good dancer.
But you have a good chance to play Prince Lanling.
You must practise hard.
When I heard about Consort Liu, I felt miserable.
she's already the Able Consort, why did she kill herself?
I'm sure an enormous grievance is involved.
Perhaps my mother was right,
the Palace can eat you alive.
You were Empress Wende's favourite,
you need not show a maid any courtesy.
But there's something I don't understand.
I hope you can shed some light on it.
During a memorial ceremony in the year 629,
The Bureau of Rites bought some panpipes and clappers
and spent over 4,000 taels of silver
which was more than 3 times the market price
Did Empress Wende know about that?
You wench!
How dare you blackmail me!
I wouldn't dare! I'm only trying to reason with you.
It's best you accept Consort Wei's kindness.
Why did you come to the Palace?
I'm here already, I'm resigned to my fate.
I guess even if His Majesty is fat and bald,
I must fight for his affection.
Because that's the only way
I can give my mother a better life.
Did you know
His Majesty write excellent poems.
Really?
You must show them to me.
My mother told me when I was small
what's between a man and a woman is oracular
If you have affinity
you'll know the moment you lay eyes on him.
If you don't,
even if he's gifted, handsome and powerful,
you still won't love him.
Nobody can force you.
Understand?
What makes you so earthshaking and special?
You're shamelessly boastful about vying for His Majesty's affection.
You're simply not worthy of him!
In terms of appearance, background and dancing skills,
Cairen Xiao comes out ahead on every count.
If you want to fight her,
you're destined to lose.
You're absolutely right.
Talk about being bossy and overbearing,
she beats us hands down.
You insensible wench!
What are you doing?
How dare you hit me! What's going on?
stop this racket! Go back to your practice!
Go!
stop standing there! Go practise!
Practise properly!
Wu Ruyi, we'll see who's the better dancer
and wins over His Majesty.
Xiao Qiang is arrogant and despotic.
she must have backing from someone.
Let's not stoop to her level!
The harem should be a reasonable place,
one cloud can't hide the sun.
All Imperial Wives, it's time!
Get up!
We're late! Come on!
Ruyi...wake up!
Be quiet! Get up!
Get up! Everyone is gone!
What?
Gone! Gone?
Time's up. Close the door!
Wait!
Come on!
Excuse us!
step forward, Cairen Xu and Cairen Wu.
Yes!
siyue Zhao, we're not late!
I didn't say you're late.
We've been practising very hard,
dirty laundry has piled up.
I want the two of you
to send the dirty clothes to the laundry room in Yeting.
That means we'll be confined!
Be quiet!
Just hurry back!
Don't worry about the contest.
We'll wait for you!
Yes!
Let's go!
Leave that here!
Let's go! Wait!
I have a letter for siyue Zhao,
can you please wait?
No, we must hurry back!
Of course, it's easy.
I could tell you're very kind.
Thank you. I'll be right back!
You... Ruyi!
I know what you mean.
We're new to the Palace,
we can't afford to offend court ladies.
smart girl!
she said she'd wait for Ruyi.
Why has the contest started?
What's taking them so long?
Exactly!
Excuse me...
Do you know where that lady lives?
What is it?
she has no tongue!
We'd better get out of here!
Let's go!
I'm so tired! Right!
Let's go!
Let's get a drink! I'm thirsty!
Coward!
What took you so long?
Haven't you heard?
Xiao Qiang is now Prince Lanling!
Yes! Where were you?
What a shame!
Let's go!
What? Xiao Qiang is Prince Lanling?
I thought you said siyue Zhao had her mind set on Wu Ruyi.
Yes, she did.
siyue Zhao served Empress Wende well
and always gave Qianxiang Palace the cold shoulder.
They must have paid her off!
Please punish me for my carelessness.
They didn't pay her off!
she was blackmailed.
Don't be so depressed.
It's not too late to salvage the situation.
But...Xiao Qiang will spend the night with His Majesty tonight.
To Consort Wei,
she's just another Consort Liu.
This child will have a rough time.
Here...
send this to Ganlu Hall.
sire!
Consort Yang sent this vertical scroll.
In fond memory of Empress Wende,
she drew this meticulously.
Please have a look.
Nicely drawn!
Hang it up so that I can see her every day.
Yes, sire!
sire!
The Cairen who will serve you tonight is waiting outside.
Xiao Qiang can meet His Majesty!
she must have bribed siyue Zhao!
Or else this chance should have gone...
to Ru yi
All right, all right...say no more!
Chengqing Hall?
What a lovely place!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty?
Time flies...
you left me almost a year ago.
I can't even remember
when it was the last time we had a drink together.
I'll make it up to you tonight
and drink this cup for you.
You said
Prince Lanling's dance is about killing,
but actually it's more about regrets.
I'm going to Xuanwu Gate.
Win or lose, send me word right away!
If I win, you'll be the first to know.
If you lose,
I'll kill myself with this.
Don't say that!
Our young child still needs you.
When we met,
I knew it was my destiny.
And I resign to my destiny.
I have no regrets! You should go.
Don't worry! We won't lose!
The mask is still here,
but I'll never see the grace when you dance.
Wende...
I owe you too much!
I dedicate this dance to Your Majesty!
Lights have gone out in Ganlu Hall.
I'm sure His Majesty has gone to bed.
He'd always come here to Qianxiang Palace.
I don't understand
why Minister Wei is so impatient.
You have won His Majesty's affection
and Empress Wende is dead.
It's the perfect time for you to get further ahead.
Why did he send Cairen Xiao into the Palace?
As I've heard, her mother is not even the first wife.
Have you forgotten the lesson on Consort Liu?
My father and brothers have passed away in recent years.
The influence of the clan has waned.
Only one uncle is left in the Court.
The Wei clan does not have as much clout.
Uncle has his misgivings and plans.
sending Xiao Qiang here is planning ahead for rainy days.
But it's all because you've been in charge of the harem
that the clan has enjoyed such clout.
Whatever Minister Wei plans to do,
he should show some consideration for your feelings.
Now you're taking it personal.
Between the grace from His Majesty and the clout of the clan
which is the cause, which is the result?
It's not that easy to tell.
You're awake, sire?
When did I get back?
I found you drunk at Chengqing Hall
and had you carried back here.
It's already 3 a.m.
it'll be time for the morning assembly soon.
Last night...
After you left,
the Cairen who was supposed to wait on you
dared not make a move.
she knelt outside Ganlu Hall all night.
I took the liberty and
sent her to the side chamber where she's still waiting.
send her back! sire...
Cairen Xiao is Consort Wei's niece.
The Wei clan?
We should...
Give her this half-moon jade.
Yes, sire!
I have something else to report. What?
Empress Wende's mask kept at Chengqing Hall...is missing.
It was her favourite! Yes!
The thief is unforgivable!
Find the thief! Do it quietly!
Yes, sire!
Ruyi, forget about Xiao Qiang waiting on His Majesty.
I heard she knelt outside for the whole night
but didn't get to see His Majesty.
send for the doctor! What happened?
Cairen Xiao!
You're awake?
Here...careful...
Cairen Xiao, you have caught a cold.
You'll be fine with enough rest.
What time is it?
I have to practise.
Don't bother!
You were out for 2 days.
They've picked someone else to play Prince Lanling.
Presenting yourself to His Majesty like this is not a good idea anyway.
Is my aunt very disappointed?
You lost 2 chances in a row to meet His Majesty.
No one can be happy about that.
Am I right?
But Milady said, inside the harem, steady streams run long. Don't rush.
she's worried you're inexperienced,
and is too upset, that's why she sent me to look in on you.
This is...What is it?
I almost forgot!
Congratulations!
This is a half-moon jade.
It belongs to His Majesty.
It means the moon can be full or crescent, like people come and go.
Nothing is perfect.
Though you didn't meet His Majesty,
he gave you this as a reward.
It's a token of his grace.
His Majesty...
Who took my place?
Is it Wu Ruyi? Yes!
search the premises carefully!
I'm sorry to disturb you.
I beg your pardon but I have my orders.
What's going on, Wang Gong-Gong?
A treasured object was stolen from Chengqing Hall
Are you aware of that?
What is it? Treasured object?
Prince Lanling's mask,
which was Empress Wende's favourite.
Who would steal it?
Whoever stole it is punishable by death!
His Majesty is furious
and ordered me to search the Palace.
Did you find it?
shifu, we've looked everywhere.
They don't have what we want.
station 2 men here, put everything back in its place.
The rest of them follow me.
I'll find that thief even if I must dig 3 feet into the ground.
Yes, shifu!
You two stay here! Yes!
Ruyi!
You're still here?
Go on, I want to stay a while.